Method for growing a biomass in a closed tubular system

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an improved method of growing a biomass in an aquaculture medium comprising enclosing the aquaculture medium containing seed amounts of a biomass in an enclosure in which the medium containing the biomass fills one-half of the enclosure and a CO 2  and air gaseous layer is above the medium and fills the other one half, growing the biomass in the medium within the enclosure in a predetermined growing cycle enhancing growth of the biomass in the medium by exposing it to continuous agitation by agitation means heat, by heating means, and illumination by a light source capable of causing photosynthesis in the biomass, and whereby CO 2  consumed from the medium and gaseous layer during photosynthesis in the biomass is continuously replenished by a CO 2  enrichment means and oxygen produced to the medium and gaseous layer during photosynthesis is extracted by extraction means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been known to grow algal biomass cultures in open air and closedpond systems. Open air cultivation of an algal biomass has manyproblems, one of which is the possibility of contamination of the algalgrowth by constituents in the air that contact the growing culture.Representative open air systems for cultivation of algae are shown inU.S. Pat. No. 3,650,068; U.S. Pat. No. 3,468,057; U.S. Pat. No.4,217,728.

In order to properly grow algal cultures in a closed system severalconditions must be present. There must be constant agitation of theaquaculture medium (liquid suspension) containing the growing algae,heating for maintenance of a proper climate within the closed systems,exposure of the algae to photosynthesizing light, and an adequate meansto replace carbon dioxide (CO₂) to the aquaculture medium due to lossesduring photosynthesis. The absence of these conditions could prove fatalto the growing cycle of the algae.

As stated, closed systems for growing algal cultures are known, however,unlike open systems, one of the main problems in these systems is theefficient replacement of the CO₂ to the aquaculture medium forconsumption during photosynthesis in the algal biomass during growth.The closed system, unlike the open air system cannot absorb CO₂ from theopen atmosphere. So, there must be an artificial means by which CO₂ canbe resupplied to the medium and atmosphere within the closed system.

Prior art closed systems all have methods by which CO₂ is replenished bythe system. Generally the CO₂ is replenished by bubbling it into andthrough the medium. The prior art closed systems that use a bubblemethod for replacing CO₂ are represented U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,317; andU.S. Pat. No. 4,253,271.

However, none of the prior art of systems have an effective way toresupply CO₂ to the medium alone and the medium and atmosphere togetherwithin the closed system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the present invention accelerates the growth of the biomassin the aquaculture by providing a controlled environment using analternative greenhouse effect to harness solar heat in growing thebiomass in a moving aquaculture medium. The solar heat source alsoprovides photosynthesizing light to the growing biomass (algae in thiscase) and there is constant replacement of carbon dioxide in the mediumlost during photosyntehsis. The improvement of the present inventionbeing a method of growing the biomass in collapsible tubes, which aretransparent to photosynthesizing lights, and CO₂ enrichment of themedium and atmosphere within the tubes while there is a conjunctiveaction of oxygen removal from the closed system for use in CO₂production.

According to the present invention, an algal biomass, such as spirulinaand chlorella, are grown in an aquaculture medium having nutrients forgrowth and the medium is constantly enriched with CO₂ for enhancement ofphotosynthesis in the chloroplasts of the biomass during growth. Theaquaculture containing the algal biomass is enclosed in flexible andcollapsible tubing, preferably polyethylene. The tubing can be laid outin any of a plurality of shapes, e.g. spiral, or zig-zag patterns. Thetubing may be cemented to a flat sheet of thick polyethylene and thetubing and flat sheet form a mat. The tube ends are connected to a pumpand the pump and tube form a continuous loop.

Alternatively, the tubular system can also be extended for several mileson open lands or deserts, but the placement of the tubes must be on aflat or slightly inclined land with less than a 7% gradient.

The pump mentioned above is used first to pump the aquaculture withinitial amounts of seed culture of the biomass into the collapsibletubing. Along with this, filtered air is pumped into the tubing byseparate blowers which inflate it. This will result in the tubing beinghalf filled with the aquaculture medium containing the biomass and theother half filled with air initially. As will be described, the air isfor inflation only and sufficient amounts of CO₂ will be added to theair inside the tubing to create a CO₂ and air gaseous layer above themedium. The pump continuously agitates the culture medium by pumping itin a single direction within the closed loop. The CO₂ and air gaseouslayer over the medium is continuously moved within the tube by theforced air blower or blowers connected to the tubing.

The tubing being transparent to photosynthesizing light will allow thelight to be transmitted to the biomass for purposes of photosynthesis inthe chloroplasts. When photosynthesis takes place, CO₂ in the medium andin the gaseous layer within the tubing is consumed and oxygen isproduced. To insure that there is continued photosynthesis in thechloroplasts of the biomass, CO₂ consumed is replaced and the oxygenproduced is extracted from the system by the method of the invention.

In the present invention, the CO₂ is replaced to the closed system intwo ways. First, CO₂ is replenished to the medium alone, and secondly,CO₂ is replaced to the medium and CO₂ and air gaseous layer within thetube.

The biomass grown by the method results in a quantum yield of 10 to 30grams per day of edible product per square meter of aquaculture used.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method of growing analgal biomass in an aquaculture medium within a closed tubular systemhaving a carbon dioxide and air gaseous layer and the biomass is exposedto continuous agitation by an agitation means, heating by heating meansand illumination by light source capable of causing photosynthesis inthe biomass, and the method continuously replenishes consumed carbondioxide to the system and removes oxygen from the system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for enrichingcarbon dioxide consumed from the aquaculture medium and CO₂ and airgaseous layer due to photosynthesis of the biomass and extracting oxygenproduced by biomass during photosynthesis.

A still further object of the invention is to use treated sewage as theaquaculture medium for growing the algal biomass.

Another object of the invention is to use at least one pump forcontinuously agitating the biomass during the growing cycle of thebiomass.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a atmospherewithin the tubing which consists of approximately 10% to 14% carbondioxide and 90% to 86% air maintainable throughout the growing cycle ofthe biomass.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of growing analgal biomass which will produce 10 to 30 grams per day of edibleproduct per square meter of aquaculture used.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of the method of the inventionwhen treated sewage is the nutrient medium.

FIG. 1a shows a schematic block diagram of the method of the inventionwhen water containing chemical nutrients is the nutrient medium.

FIG. 2 shows the tubular system in a spiral pattern for practicing themethod of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows the system for CO₂ enrichment to the medium and CO₂production for bubbling into the tubular system.

FIG. 4 shows the harvesting method for harvesting the biomass grown inthe tubular system by the method of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of second embodiment of theinvention in which the tube is disposed in a trench and an alternativeheating method is used for heating the tubular system.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of theinvention in which the tube containing the biomass culture is disposedin a trench and an alternative heating method is used for maintainingthe heat in the tubular system.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of theinvention in which the tube containing the biomass culture is disposedin a trench and an alternative heating method is used for maintainingheat in the tubular system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic block diagram of the method of theinvention is shown generally at 1. When raw sewage is used to createaquaculture medium the final growth product is for animal consumption.The raw sewage at 2 is subject to fiber filtration in the sedimentationtank 4, and the resulting effluent is pumped to a pH adjustment tank 10.The sludge from the sedimentation tank 4 is deposited in sludge tank 6where it is reacted on by a 0.1% sulfuric acid solution or SO₂ solutionuntil a pH of 3 or 4 is reached. The solution is then pumped to pHadjustment tank 10 for pH adjustment of the solution to a level between9.5 and 11.

After the pH level of the slurry containing effluent and solid particleshas properly been adjusted, it is pumped to vibrating sieve 12 whichseparates the solid material from the liquid effluent. After separationof the solid particles from the liquid effluent is pumped to dilutiontank 14. The effluent which enters dilution tank 14 is subsequentlydiluted, and the resulting liquid is one which provides an excellentaquaculture medium having sufficient nutrients for growing a biomass init.

After proper dilution in dilution tank 14, the aquaculture medium ispumped to mixing tank 16 where it is combined with initial amounts ofseed culture 18 of the biomass. After proper mixing of the aquaculturemedium and seed culture, the aquaculture containing the seed culture ispumped to the culture tubes 32. However, prior to the aquaculturecontaining the seed culture entering the culture tubes, a gaseousmixture of 90% air and 10% carbon dioxide is bubbled into and throughit.

Referring FIG. 1a, a schematic block diagram is shown for the productionof a aquaculture if raw sewage is not used. This is the aquaculturemedium used if the final product is for human consumption. Water 20 andnutrient chemicals 24 are mixed in mixing tank 22. After mixing, thesolution is pumped to pH adjust tank 26, where the pH is adjusted to theproper level between 9.5 and 11. Once the pH has been adjusted, thesolution is pumped to mixing tank 28, where it is mixed with seedculture 30. The aquaculture containing the seed culture is then pumpedto the culture tubes 32, however, prior to reaching the tubes a gaseousmixture of approximately 10% to 14% CO₂ and 90% to 86% air is bubbledinto it. From this point both methods are identical.

During the entire growing cycle of the biomass in tube 32, certainamounts of the aquaculture medium containing the growing biomass areextracted and passed through the carbon dioxide enriching and oxygenextracting apparatus 34. Within apparatus 34 carbon dioxide is enrichedto the medium and oxygen extracted and fed to carbon dioxide productionapparatus 36.

Once the biomass reaches the correct point in the growing cycle, it ispumped along the aquaculture medium to harvesting tank 38. After thebiomass is harvested, it is filtered at 40, cleaned at 42, and dryed at44. After drying there is a finished edible product 46 that can be usedfor human or animal consumption.

Referring to FIG. 2, a tubular system for growing the biomass,configured in a spiral pattern, is generally shown at 50. The systemshown in FIG. 2 uses the effluent from treated sewage as an aquaculturemedium, however, water treated with nutrient chemicals can be used. Theeffluent from sewage pond 54 passes to pH adjustment tank 58 when valve56 is opened. The FIG. 2 system does not necessarily utilize asedimentation tank, sludge tank, vibrating sieve or dilution tank asdepicted in the FIG. 1 system. For example, these elements are notrequired in the event nutrient chemicals or certain types of sewage areused. Once effluent has achieved the proper pH level, it is pumped tomixing tank 60 through valve 59. In mixing tank 60 the seed biomassculture is added to the aquaculture medium.

After mixing, the aquaculture containing the seed biomass is pumped toside tank 66 through valve 64. Upon passing through valve 64 a gaseousmixture of 90% to 86% air and 10% to 14% CO₂ is bubbled to theaquaculture entering side tank 66.

The aquaculture medium containing the biomass in side tank 66 is pumpedinto the supply side 76 of a tube 75. The tube 75 is preferrablyconstructed of transparent thin material which will collapse when notfilled with the aquaculture and inflated with the air and CO₂ blown intoit. The tube 75 is preferrably constructed of a polyethylene material;however, various other types of materials which have similar propertiesto a thin polyethylene can be used. The seamless tube 75, although nothaving self-supporting structural strength, does 2have sufficientstrength for enclosing the aquaculture medium containing the growingbiomass and a charge of certain gases which inflate the tube to itsmaximum diametric shape.

The pump 74 takes a suction on side pond 66 until the proper amounts ofaquaculture containing the biomass fill the bottom half of tube 75,which includes the supply side 76 and return side 77. Simultaneouslywith the filling of the tube 75 with the medium, blowers are used toinflate the remaining upper half of tube 75 with a gaseous layer. (Theblowers are not shown). The blowers blow filtered air into medium in thetubes which combine with a bubbled mixture of CO₂ and air to produce agaseous layer above the medium consisting of air and CO₂. The blowerscontinually circulate the CO₂ and air within the upper half of theinflated tube above the aquaculture.

Once tube 75 is filled with the aquaculture medium, valve 68 is closedand pumps 74 and 78 continually pump the aquaculture medium containingthe biomass in direction "A" in supply section 76 and in direction "B"in return section 77. The continuous pumping agitates the aquaculturemedium during the entire growing cycle.

During the growing cycle, the biomass is exposed to sunlight whichcauses photosynthesis in the chloroplasts of the biomass. Although theprimary embodiment uses sunlight as the photosynthesizing light source,artificial light capable of causing photosynthesis in the biomass can beused. In the photosynthesis process, CO₂ is consumed and oxygen is givenoff by the biomass. In order to replace the CO₂ consumed from the mediumand the gaseous layer above the medium, CO₂ -enriching andoxygen-extracting apparatus 80 is connected to tube 75. The apparatus 80will enrich the medium with CO₂ and return the CO₂ enriched medium tothe tubing for further photosynthesis in the biomass. The oxygenextracted by the apparatus 80 is directed to diesel or gasoline engine82 or a drying machine (not shown). The oxygen extracted is fed into theair inlet of the engine or drying machine or other device and the devicewill give off as a by-product CO₂ which is returned to the system. TheCO₂ from the device enters mixing tank 84 which mixes filtered air withthe CO₂ to produce a 90% to 86% air and 10% to 14% CO₂ gaseous mixture.The gaseous mixture in tank 84 is then directed through valve 86 to bebubbled directly into the tube 75 and/or through valve 88 to replenishtank 62.

In most cases, tube 75 is disposed on a flat sheet or flat layer 79 ofblack 10 ml thick plastic or polyethylene which is used as a solarcollector for heating tube 75. The radiant heat energy of the sun isabsorbed by the black surface 79 and helps maintain the proper climatewithin the tube 75 during the growing cycle. In other situations wherethe mat is floated on a pond, the flat layer is clear to allow light topass through it to reach plant life below. However, a thermal heatinglayer is created below the mat which will retain heat for heatmaintenance in the system.

Once the entire growing cycle has been completed, valve 68 and valve 70are opened and the aquaculture containing the grown biomass is pumpedthrough side tank 66 to store/harvest pond 72. After the aquaculture andgrown biomass in store/harvest pond 72, it is harvested for finalconversion into a food product. The method of harvesting will besubsequently described.

Referring to FIG. 3, apparatus 80 for CO₂ enrichment of the aquaculturemedium and oxygen removal from the system is shown and its method ofoperation will hereinafter be described.

The CO₂ enricher and oxygen removal apparatus is designed to remove andseparate CO₂ and oxygen gases from the gaseous layer above theaquaculture medium. The apparatus will, by its method of operation,dissolve captured CO₂ in the aquaculture medium for use as a carbonsource to carry out photosynthesis in the chloroplasts of the growingbiomass. The oxygen separated in the apparatus is drawn off for otherpurposes. Although the described use of the apparatus of FIG. 3 is forseparation of CO₂ and oxygen from the gaseous layer above theaquaculture medium, it can also be used to capture CO₂ from othersources. In such cases, the other sources could be gases output fromother engines, dryers, boilers etc., not connected to the presentapparatus. The only requirement is that the gas has some level of CO₂contained therein.

The gases from these other sources will be mixed with the CO₂ input totank 84.

Some of the gases from these sources require washing that is, scrubbing,prior to input into the apparatus. If such gases are used, a gas washingapparatus would be disposed adjacent to the source of the gas forcarrying out that function.

When CO₂ gas produced by any source is desired to be used for input intothe closed system of the invention, it must be soluble in water. Inorder for CO₂ to be soluble in water it must reach at a minimum atemperature of 31.1° C. The method of heating the CO₂ to ensure that thetemperature of it is above 31.1° C. will be subsequently described.

Referring again to FIG. 3, pump 98 takes a suction on pipe 94 removing aportion of the biomass suspension 90 (aquaculture containing the growingbiomass). Pump 98 pumps the portion of the biomass suspension 90 intopipe 102, where at point 106 a positive electric charge is placed on thebiomass suspension. After the biomass suspenion has been positivelycharged, it enters insulated nozzle 116. Simultaneously, air pump 118pumps air into nozzle 116. Within nozzle 116 the charged biomasssuspension and air produce a positively charged spray 120 which issprayed from the nozzle.

Fan 110 rotates such that it draws a portion of the CO₂ and air gaseouslayer from within tube 75. The portion of the gaseous layer removedenters the pipe 114 and travels past fan 110 and down past nozzle 116.

Area 122 is the area below pipe 114 into which the charged spray 120 isdirected. The area has a dielectric, preferably polyesther, disposed onthe walls of the area creating an electrostatic chamber having a CO₂ andair atmosphere (flow from pipe 114). The positively charged spray in theelectrostatic chamber causes the molecules of the CO₂ and oxygen tooppositely polarize. Because of the positive nature of the spray, thedielectric disposed along the walls, of area 122 will tend to align as anegative pole thus giving a negative charge to the walls. The CO₂molecules polarize negatively while the oxygen molecules polarizepositively. The oxygen molecules being positively polarized will tend tobe attracted to the dielectric disposed on the walls while the CO₂molecules being negatively polarized are attracted to the positivelycharged droplets of falling spray thus forming CO₂ and biomasssuspension 126. The CO₂ and biomass suspension is a CO₂ enrichedaquaculture which is gravity fed through pipe 127 back into tube 75.

The oxygen molecules and uncombined CO₂ molecules are removed from abovethe CO₂ enriched biomass suspension 126 by fan 112 and drawn into pipe128. This is a second stage of CO₂ enriching of the biomass suspension.There can be any number of stages of CO₂ enrichment as desired.

For the second stage, pump 100 takes a suction on the biomass suspension90 through pipe 96. Pump 100 pumps the suspension through pipe 104. Thebiomass suspension is positively charged in section 108 of pipe 104 andthe positively charged biomass suspension is provided to nozzle 132within which it is combined with air from air pump 134. The CO₂ andoxygen (air) are drawn into pipe 128 by fan 112 pass through baffles130, disposed within pipe 128, and are deposited in electrostaticchamber 138 having a dielectric disposed on the walls. In electrostaticchamber 138, the positively charged biomass suspension oppositelypolarizes the CO₂ and oxygen molecules. The CO₂ combines with thecharged droplets of the biomass suspension to form CO₂ enriched biomasssuspension 142 which is gravity fed back into tube 75 via pipe 143. Theuncombined CO₂ and oxygen molecules are drawn off or pumped through pipe144 to be burned in gasoline or diesel engine 82 which produces the CO₂as a by-product. The CO₂ produced by engine 82 or the drying machine ispumped through pipe 146 to mixing tank 84 where it is combined withfiltered air to form the gaseous solution containing 90% to 86% air and10% to 14% CO₂. The outflow from mixing tank 84 in pipe 150 provides thegaseous solution of air and CO₂ to pipe 152, which connects to CO₂ tank62 (FIG. 2) and pipe 154, which allows direct bubbling into the system.

As previously stated, in order for CO₂ gas to dissolve in water, it musthave a temperature greater than 31.1° C. In most cases, the temperatureof the CO₂ being exhausted from engine 82 or other device (not shown) isabove 31.1° C. However, in the passage of the CO₂ from engine 82 tomixing tank 84, there can be dissipation of heat from the gas causingits temperature to drop below 31.1° C. Additionally. even if the gasdoes have a temperature above 31.1° C. when it reaches tank 84 it canfall below 31.1° C. if the temperature of the air it is mixed with isbelow 31.1° C. This is particularly true since 10% to 14% of CO₂ ismixed with 90% to 86% of air.

To overcome this problem, the air entering the mixing tank from pipe 148has a temperature significantly above 31.1° C. The temperature is greatenough such that even if the temperature of the CO₂ is significantlybelow 31.1° C., it will be raised above 31.1° C., so that it willdissolve in the medium as it is bubbled into the system at 156.

Referring to FIG. 4, the harvesting method is generally shown at 160.After the growing cycle of the biomass is completed, the grown biomassand aquaculture are pumped from tube 75 through side tank 66 and valve70 into store/harvest pond 72. To harvest the biomass from theaquaculture, rotary filter 164 is used. The rotary filter rotates indirection "C" and has a vacuum suction drawing the biomass andaquaculture to the periphery. The apparatus is so constructed that itwill allow liquid to pass through to the interior of the filter but holdthe grown biomass on the periphery. The liquid which is sucked throughthe filter is expelled from it for separate disposal. The biomass whichis held to the outer periphery of the rotary filter and will remain soattached until it experiences the edge of scraper 166 which scrapes thebiomass from the periphery of the rotary filter.

The rotary filter intake pipe is moved throughout the store/harvest tankuntil substantially all the biomass has been recovered. After thebiomass has been recovered, it is sent through the filtration, cleaning,and drying steps to produce the final edible product. By use of themethod of this invention the quantum yield of the biomass is between 15and 30 grams per square meter of aquaculture which is higher thanpreviously known methods of cultivating biomass cultures.

An alternative method of harvesting contemplated by the invention uses ahorizontal belt filter that automatically washes the harvested biomassand removes the washing liquid by vacuum in the same way as removal ofliquid takes place using the raking filter.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment ofthe invention is shown generally at 170. In the second embodiment, tube174 is placed in a trough (on or above the ground) or trench 172 in theearth. If a trough is used it can be constructed of concrete, fiberglassor other heat retaining material. The tube is constructed of the samematerial as described in the first embodiment (preferred embodiment)described above. The aquaculture containing the growing biomass fillssubstantially one half of the tube while the other half is filled with agaseous layer of air and CO₂, as previously described.

The sun provides light and heat using the greenhouse effect. The radiantsolar energy provides the photosynthesizing light for the chloroplast inthe biomass and also it heats the tube and the earth surrounding thetrough or trench in which the tube lies. Although not shown in FIG. 5,the trough or trench can be filled with rocks, salt, or other heatretaining crystals below the tube to enhance its heat retainingproperties. This action maintains some level of climatic control withinthe tube when the sun goes down and no longer provides direct solarheating to the tube.

Referring to FIG. 6, a third embodiment of the invention is shown at180. In this embodiment, an alternative method of heating theaquaculture and growing biomass is shown. In this method there are twotrenches dug into the earth. It is contemplated that two troughs made ofa suitable material on or above the ground can be used. Trench 182 isfor the plastic tube 174 and its supporting heating structures andtrench 184 is for the heat collecting assembly.

The heat collecting assembly disposed in trench 184 has insulating box192 disposed in trench and rocks 194 disposed in the box. The rocks arecovered with a solar collector 196. When the sun is shining, thecollector will cause rocks 194 to be heated. The heated rocks willretain that heat long after the sun goes down. The heat retained by therocks will be used for maintaining the climate control within theplastic tube as will be described. The trench, which has tube 174disposed therein, has an insulating layer 200 and rocks 202 below thetube. Disposed between the two trenches is a blower 188 having pipe 186connected to the heat generating trench 184 and pipe 190 connected tothe trench 182 with plastic tube 174. Other heat retaining substances orcrystals can be substituted for rocks 194 and 202. The substitutes canbe rock salt, sea solids left from salt-making, Glauber's salt, slurryof various liquids or solutions of salt or fresh water. Thereafter theprocess is the same as for rocks.

During normal daylight hours direct sunlight heats the aquaculturecontaining the growing biomass by the greenhouse effect and the solarcollector 196 heats rocks 194. At night after the sun goes down, tomaintain the controlled climate within the plastic tube 174, blower 188is activated drawing air over hot rocks 194 which provides hot air topipe 186. After passing through the blower the hot air passes throughpipe 196 and impinges on and heats rocks 202. The heated rocks 202 willgive off heat to the tube as they cool, thus maintaining the properclimate control within tube 174.

Referring to FIG. 7, the fourth embodiment of the method of theinvention is shown. In this embodiment, the plastic tube 174 is disposedin trench 206 and an alternative heating method is used. Heating isprovided by black polyvinyl chloride pipe 208 disposed on the outside ofthe tube and the pipe is heated by radiant solar energy. The hot air inthe pipe 205 enters a blower (not shown) and is pumped through pipes 210disposed within tube 174. Pipes 210 have small holes in them and hot airis forced through these holes and into the medium. This will provideheat to the aquaculture containing the growing biomass 176. Duringperiods of night when the sun is not shining, the earth provides acertain amount of climate control within tube 174 along with theresidual heat provided by the air flowing in the pipes 210.

The second, third and fourth embodiments of the invention in FIGS. 5, 6and 7, respectively, also utilize the CO₂ -enriching method previouslydescribed.

The inventor contemplates the invention to be all that is shown,described, and claimed to be an invention in the foregoing. However,there can be adaptations and changes to the present invention which arewithin the contemplation of the inventor. Thus, the inventorcontemplates the invention to be all that is shown, described, andclaimed to be the invention and all equivalents thereto.

I claim:
 1. An improved method of growing a biomass in an aquaculturemedium comprising the steps of:(1) seeding an aquaculture medium with adesired biomass; (2) placing the seeded medium in a sealed enclosure topartially fill the enclosure; (3) simultaneously bubbling carbon dioxideinto the seeded medium while placing it into the enclosure; (4) fillingthe remainder of the enclosure with air and carbon dioxide to form agaseous layer over the seeded medium; (5) continuously agitating themedium containing the biomass while in the enclosure; (6) providing alight source for the biomass for causing photosynthesis in the biomass;(7) removing a portion of the medium from the enclosure; (8) placing anelectrical charge on the removed portion of the medium; (9) spraying thecharged medium in an electrostatic chamber with a dielectric disposed onthe walls and said chamber having carbon dioxide and oxygen atmosphere;(10) polarizing the carbon dioxide and oxygen molecules oppositely; (11)attracting and combining carbon dioxide molecules to spray droplets ofthe charged medium and forming carbon dioxide enriched medium; (12)replacing the carbon dioxide enriched medium to the enclosure; (13)repelling the oxygen molecules by the spray droplets of the chargedmedium; (14) extracting the oxygen molecules and uncombined carbondioxide molecules from the chamber; (15) continuing steps 5 through 14,inclusive, until the growing cycle of the biomass is completed; and (16)removing the grown biomass from the enclosure for harvesting.
 2. Theimproved method according to claim 1 wherein the carbon dioxide andoxygen atmosphere polarized in the electrostatic chamber is removed fromthe gaseous layer above the medium in the enclosure.
 3. The improvedmethod according to claim 1 wherein the extracted oxygen molecules anduncombined carbon dioxide molecules are directed to a carbon dioxideproducing means and carbon dioxide produced in said means is bubbledinto the enclosure.
 4. The improved method according to claim 3 whereinthe carbon dioxide is scrubbed prior to being bubbled into theenclosure.
 5. The improved method according to claim 1 wherein heat isprovided to the enclosure and medium by a heating means to enhancegrowth of the biomass.
 6. The improved method according to claim 5wherein the heating means includes an external heat source that heatsthe medium and enclosure by a conduction method.
 7. The improved methodaccording to claim 5 wherein the heating means includes radiant solarenergy.
 8. The improved method according to claim 1 wherein theenclosure is polyethylene tubing.
 9. The improved method according toclaim 8 wherein ends of the tubing engage the agitation means and thetubing and agitate means define a closed loop.
 10. The improved methodaccording to claim 9 wherein the agitation means includes at least onepump.
 11. The improved method according to claim 8 wherein the tubing isarranged in a spiral pattern.
 12. The improved method according to claim8 wherein the tubing is arranged in a zig-zag pattern.
 13. The improvedmethod according to claim 1 wherein the gaseous layer above the mediumin the enclosure is approximately 10% to 14% carbon dioxide and 90% to86% air.
 14. The improved method according to claim 1 wherein the lightsource is radiant solar energy.
 15. The improved method according toclaim 1 wherein the light source is artificial light capable of causingphotosynthesis in the biomass.
 16. The improved method according toclaim 1 wherein the aquaculture medium has a pH level between 9.5 and11.